Form clamp



Nov. 22, 1927.

G. F. EPPLEY FORM CLAMP Filed June 27, 1927 ,fl/iwf Patented Nov. 22, V1927.

UNITED 'sraresA PATE-Nr?'oFlFl-CE.

GEORGE r. EPPLE'Y, or WASHINGTON, ynis'rmo'r or COLUMBIA.

the parts of whichcan be more quickly assembled and separated than heretofore.

A further object is to provide a clamp each member of which is adapted to be hooked over the next adjoining member, thereby enabling the parts to be assembled without the necessitating of slipping one of them over the end of the other.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter rdescribed and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed may be made within the scope of what is claimed, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In the accompanying drawings, the preferred form of the invention has been shown.

In said drawings,

Figure l is a section through a vcolumny and form showing the improved clamp assembled therewith. Y

Figure 2 is an edge view of one of the clamp members. Y

Figure 3 is a section on line 3 3, Figure 2.

Referring to the ligures by characters of reference 1 designates a fiat bar having ratchet teeth 2 along one edge thereof adjacent one end whilethe other end portion of the bar is bent upon itself to provide a hook 3 the opening in which is of a width slightly greater than the thickness of the bar. A pawl 4 isV pivotally mounted within and extends in opposite directions from the hook, one end of the pawl being adapted to engage the teeth of a second bar when positioned within the hook. The bar lis offset at an intermediate point as shown at l5 so that the longitudinal center of the opening in the hook 3 will be in line with the longitudina'l center'of therfar end 'portion of said fba'r. .This will be clearly apparent by rvreferring to Figure 2 wherein the center line has been indicated at 6.

In practice the form Fis set up and one of the clamp members is arranged along the outer `surface ofv each side thereof. The clamp members are assembled by hooking each of them into engagement with thenext adjoining member. This can be done without slipping the hook over the end of the engaged member. ,Accordingly shouldy the end of one of the memberscome against an adjacent wall, the proper assembly of the parts would not be interfered with. As

noted in Figure 2 the distance between the n hook 3 and the offset portion 5 is slightly greater than the width ofl a bary so that it is thus possible readily to inserta bar into engagement with a hook. bers or bars have been assembled rthey can be tightened by shifting each bar longitudinally to move one or more of its teeth past the tooth engaging end of the adjacent pawl. This pawl, by engaging one of the teeth, will hold'the bar against retrograde movement and thus, after the several bars have been properly tightened the parts of the form will be held tightly together. Any suitable means can be employed for tightening the bars. yAfter the column has been poured and set Lthe clamp can be removed readily simply by disengaging the pawls from the teeth whereupon the parts can be quickly loosened and unhooked.

Importance is attached to the one-piece construction of each bar whereby cost of production is materially reduced. The use of a hook is also important for the reasons heretofore pointed out and by having the offset in the bar the line of force is maintained directly through the center of the hook and lof the toothed portion `of the bar so that the bar will not become distorted when subjected to excessive strain.

lWhat is claimed is:

After the mem- 1. A form clamp comprising a plurality of interiitting members each including a flat bar having ratchetteeth-along one longitudmal edge adjacent` one end, a bar embracing hook at its other end, and a ratchet enend, said bar being formed in a single piece, and a pavvl pivoted Within the hook, .Said

Y hook constituting means for receiving a bar to be engaged by the pavvl.

3. A form clamp comprising a plurality of interfitting members each including a flat bar having one end bent upon itself to provide a hook, there being ratchet teeth extending longitudinally of the other end portion of the bar, said bar being movable transversely of another bar to position the hook in engagement therewith, a pawl pivotally mounted Within the hook for engagement with the engaged bar, there being an offset in the bar between the hook and the'teeth whereby the center line of force is extended longitudinally of the center of the hook and of the toothed portion ofthe bar.-

In testimony-that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto aliixed my signa- 20 ture.

GEORGE F. EPPLEY. 

